The best camping in Plumas National Forest, CA

Encompassing more than a million acres of protected land in the northern Sierra Nevada range, Plumas National Forest offers an incredible diversity of outdoor activities, from summer rock climbing, hiking, camping, and fishing to winter snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing. It's also a great place for long, scenic drives, and if you have a vehicle with 4WD, it's worth taking a jaunt through the 150-mile-long Plumas Backcountry Discovery Trail, which showcases some of the most remote areas in the forest. The forest has three ranger districts, each with dozens of publicly owned campgrounds, and many of the area's lower-elevation campgrounds are open throughout the year.

• Best for boaters: You can launch your boat right into the lake at Frenchman Campground.
• Best for anglers: At an elevation of 6,479 ft., the popular Lone Rock Campground offers easy access to the waters of Antelope Lake.
• Best for last-minute tent campers: Black Rock Walk-in Tent Campground has 20 walk-in tent sites available on a first-come, first-served basis plus a massive parking lot where RV owners can park their vehicles.

1. You can reserve a campsite up to six months in advance online at Recreation.gov or by calling the Forest Service.
2. Some campsites must be reserved at least three days in advance.
3. Many campgrounds release some or all campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Campgrounds with tent and RV camping are available in all three ranger districts, but dispersed camping (with a permit) is only an option in parts of the Beckwourth Ranger District.
5. If you can’t find a campsite, check with the nearest ranger station about last-minute availability or look into staying at a  private campground or Hipcamp instead.

Plumas National Forest is at its busiest in the warm summer months, especially in July and August when children are out of school for the season. The autumn shoulder season is also pleasant, but many areas close after the first snowfall, which can happen as early as October. Some areas, such as the Frenchman Recreation Area, stay open year-round, attracting fans of ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

• Phone service can be spotty in parts of the forest, so make sure to download offline maps before you set out.
• Bears are active in much of the forest, and some campgrounds require campers to store all food, toiletries, trash, and cookware in bear lockers (where available) or inside their vehicles.
• Fire restrictions are common in this area, and can change at short notice. Check the Plumas National Forest website for up-to-date details.
• If you plan to build a fire or use a barbecue or portable stove, during permitted times, you'll need to first obtain a campfire permit.